Cinematheque: The Films of Pierre Étaix

Le Grand Amour (France, 1969, 35mm, 87 min., subtitled)

In this sublime comedy, a happily married businessman (Étaix) gets the 15-year-itch with the arrival of his comely new secretary. A buoyant mixture of slapstick and surrealism, this gentle fantasy of desire weaves expertly executed physical gags with dreamy rides on mobile beds. “ The feature will be preceded by Étaix’ short, Happy Anniversary, in which a married couple are kept from celebrating by Paris traffic. (MK)